New build properties are increasingly being specified with air conditioning provision — and new build buyers are increasingly requesting it as a condition of purchase. Here is a guide for both property developers and new build buyers.
For Property Developers — Specifying During Construction
Why Specification During Construction Saves Money
Installing air conditioning provision during construction — electrical connections, wall penetrations and sometimes pipework routes — costs significantly less than a full retrofit installation after construction is complete. The reason is access: during construction, walls are open, floors are unfinished and electricians are already on site. Adding air conditioning provision at this stage costs £150-400 per room. The same provision installed as a retrofit costs £400-800 per room just for the preparatory work, before the air conditioning system itself.
What to Include During Construction
At minimum, specification should include: a fused spur or dedicated circuit breaker for air conditioning in each room; a 65mm core through the external wall at the intended indoor unit position; and where possible, a conduit through the wall structure for refrigerant pipework. Including a designated outdoor unit mounting position (wall bracket fixing points or a concrete pad) completes the provision.
This provision package allows the purchaser to install a complete air conditioning system with minimal disruption and at lower cost — typically saving £400-700 per room compared to a full retrofit.
Marketing Advantage
New builds specified as “air conditioning ready” or with air conditioning already installed command a price premium. In our experience, buyers paying premium prices for new builds increasingly expect air conditioning provision as standard — particularly in south or west-facing rooms.
For New Build Buyers — Negotiating and Retrofitting
Negotiating Air Conditioning During Purchase
Many new build developers will negotiate air conditioning installation as part of the purchase if asked before legal completion. This is typically better value than a post-completion retrofit — the developer gets a volume price from their contractor and the work is done before you move in. If you are buying new and want air conditioning, raise it early in the negotiation.
Post-Completion Retrofit
If your new build does not have air conditioning provision, a retrofit installation is straightforward for modern cavity wall properties. The newer the property, the better the insulation — meaning a smaller unit is required for a given room area, reducing both installation and running costs.
Check whether your new build has any existing provision — electrical spurs, wall penetrations or conduit — before getting quotes. Some developers install partial provision that significantly reduces retrofit cost even if they did not complete the full installation.
Cost
New build installation with existing provision: typically £1,000-1,800 per room. Full retrofit in new build without provision: £1,200-2,000 per room. Call 07833 053749 or contact us. We work with developers and individual buyers across Surrey, Sussex and South London.